FINAL: Vikings orchestrate come-from-behind win over 49ers

The following is a recap of the live blog from the 49ers’ 32-31 loss to the Vikings in their third preseason game.

FINAL: Vikings pull of the comeback win at the horn

Vikings third-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke scored a two-point conversion after regulation expired to give the Vikings a 32-31 come-from-behind victory over the 49ers.

San Francisco’s defense couldn’t stop the Vikings from piecing together a 14-play, 74-yard drive that led to game-winning points. The two-point conversion was possible thanks to running back Terrell Newby’s 1-yard touchdown run with zeros on the clock. The play was set up by a pass interference call on Keith Reaser in the end zone with a second remaining.

The 49ers fell to 1-2 in the preseason. Despite losing, their starters played noticeably better than Minnesota’s, getting out to a 14-0 lead at halftime.

TOUCHDOWN (fourth quarter – 6:15): 49ers 31, Vikings 24

Case Keenum found tight end Kyle Carter for a 16-yard touchdown pass up the seam with safety Vinnie Sunseri in tight coverage, making it a one-score game.

TOUCHDOWN 49ers (fourth quarter – 7:53): 49ers 31, Vikings 17

Raheem Mostert scored his second touchdown of the night on a four-yard scamper outside to the right, giving him an impressive 130 yards on six touches, including his 87-yard touchdown catch earlier in the half.

Mostert came into the game appearing on the outside looking in on a roster spot behind Carlos Hyde, Joe Williams and Matt Breida. But if the 49ers want another option instead of Tim Hightower, Mostert by the guy.

TOUCHDOWN (Third quarter – 0:37) 49ers 24, Vikings 17

Jerrick McKinnon took the kickoff following Raheem Moster’s 87-yard touchdown for an 108-yard touchdown.

TOUCHDOWN 49ers (Third quarter – 1:36): 49ers 24, Vikings 10

Reserve running back Raheem Mostert took a screen pass 87 yards on third-and-23 to give San Francisco it’s third 13-point lead of the game. Mostert weaved through the Vikings’ defense and had a lane created by a solid block from rookie tight end George Kittle.

TOUCHDOWN (Third quarter – 3:53): 49ers, 17, Vikings 10

Aaron Lynch on the touchdown nearly sacked Keenum, who slung the ball on a bubble screen before he could be taken down.

FIELD GOAL (Third quarter – 5:35) 49ers 17, Vikings 3

Backup kicker Nick Rose nailed a long, 55-yard field goal after rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard took a sack on third down when he failed to evade pressure from the Vikings’ defensive front.

TURNOVER

49ers receiver Louis Murphy had the ball jarred loose by conerback Jabari Price on a completion from C.J. Beathard. Price got his helmet right on the ball, popping it into the air and allowing Antone Exum to be credited with the interception deep in 49ers territory.

Murphy had only been targeted on two passes during the preseason an appears a long shot to make the team.

FIELD GOAL (third quarter – 11:04): 49ers 14, Vikings 3

Vikings kicker Marshall Koehn nailed 58-yard field goal to get Minnesota on the board. The kick seemed like it was going to break to the right, but managed to stay straight from deep.

49ers take starters out at halftime

The 49ers removed most of their starters at the beginning of the third quarter after impressing in the opening half Sunday in Minnesota. Rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard played the first series behind the starting offensive line.

On defense, the 49ers inserted their entire second string, taking out NaVorro Bowman, Reuben Foster and the rest of the starting defense. They did well to that point, holding Minnesota to 134 yards of offense.

HALFTIME: 49ers 14, Vikings 0

San Francisco’s starting offense had easily its best showing of the preseason, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions with Brian Hoyer at the helm.

Hoyer completed his first nine attempts, including a 46-yard touchdown to speedster Marquise Goodwin following a fake reverse. He later hit Carlos Hyde over the middle for a 24-yard score on the first play of the second quarter.

For the half, Hoyer completed 12-of-17 for 176 yards, giving him a 143.3 passer rating. His touchdown throws were the first of the preseason. He had a command of the offense and a rhythm that was reminiscent of his summer practices that was absent during the first two preseason games.

Pierre Garçon had a game high six catches for 64 yards. Hyde ran for 19 yards on seven carries, but added 45 yards on three receptions out of the backfield.

The 49ers out gained the Vikings 188 to 134 and had just two penalties after combining for 38 in their first two exhibition games.

San Francisco’s defense played well, also. Eric Reid kissed his bicep, harkening Colin Kaepernick, after laying a shoulder into a Vikings receiver with force. Reuben Foster had a game-high eight tackles and at least two were of the vicious variety.

Hoyer misses another touchdown (Second quarter – 5:04)

Brian Hoyer almost had his third touchdown pass of the first half, but he slightly under threw Marquise Goodwin on a deep pass down the sideline on third-and-3.

Goodwin appeared to have Trae Waynes beat deep, but the pass forced Goodwin to slow down a touch and allowed Waynes to break it up and cause San Francisco to punt. Goodwin scored a 46-yard touchdown on San Francisco’s opening possession.

TOUCHDOWN 49ers (Second quarter – 15:00) – 49ers 14, Vikings 0

Carlos Hyde caught a pass over the middle and scored easily to give San Francisco a 14-0 point on the first play of the second quarter. It was Hyde’s second reception of the drive and his best start to a preseason game since Kyle Shanahan took over.

The completion was Brian Hoyer’s ninth-straight to start the game. He had 152 and a pair of touchdown passes, giving him a perfect passer rating of 158.3.

49ers get a pair of sacks

Arik Armstead and Elvis Dumervil logged sacks and forced a Vikings punt following up the touchdown. Armstead two plays earlier pressured Sam Braford and speared him after a pass.

The 49ers defense got off to a strong start. DeForest Buckner and Eric Reid also provided pressure on the sacks.

TOUCHDOWN 49ers (first quarter – 10:37) – 49ers 7, Vikings 0

Hoyer completed all three of his passing attempts for the drive, starting with consecutive slants to Pierre Garçon. It was Hoyer’s first touchdown pass of the preseason.

The pass to Goodwin was an example of the deep connection the two have shown throughout summer practices – but hadn’t translated in to game before that point.

49ers force three-and-out

Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster tackled rookie running back Dalvin Cook for a five-yard loss, making a big hit. Sam Bradford fumbled the snap a play later and was sacked by DeForest Buckner, who’s back playing after missing last week with an ankle injury.

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